Lately a cold wind has picked up, temperatures have dropped along with the leaves—it finally feels like fall! As the season is turning, we find ourselves pulling out our boots and sweaters and bundling up for chilly walks to class. With river swims and late night bonfires out of the question, it seems to be more difficult to find fun things to do in this transition.
If you’re planning to stay indoors but sick of your room and the Ram’s Den, there is always a variety of local events going on for your entertainment including an abundance of live music. Check out the Opera House. They have a constant line up of great shows and movies—often including a student discount if you bring your Rambler! The Blue Moon Café has their weekly Open Mic Night every Wednesday and live music Saturday and Sunday nights. Don’t forget about The Devonshire Arms Café & Pub; they also have live music Friday and Saturday nights! If you’re feeling confident, head over to Tony’s on Monday nights for karaoke.
Pulling yourself out of your warm bed and turning off Netflix sounds impossible when it’s below 60 degrees outside, but despite the weather change, there are still some great, active ways to enjoy the outdoors. Take advantage of the cool temperatures before winter hits and walking outside becomes unbearable!
We happen to be in a great location for hiking. A quick drive across the river will take you to the C&O Canal. Layer up in a sweatshirt and bring some gloves for a bike ride, run or stroll along the beautiful Potomac. Maryland Heights is another great spot and perfect if you’re in need of a breathtaking view. This Harpers Ferry trail has an intense incline that will give you a great workout! Freshman James Ferreris encourages this hike: “Once you get to the top, it makes the whole experience worth it.” Harpers Ferry is beautiful this time of year with colorful leaves just starting to cover the cobblestone roads. If you haven’t visited this historic town, be sure to put it on your list!
Don’t let the chilly temps keep you cooped up in your dorm. Get out and enjoy this beautiful season while it’s here. Soon enough it will be time for snowball fights and sledding!
Winter activities are just around the bend. Coming up on Dec. 19, Snowshoe Mountain Resort will be celebrating its birthday with retro ‘70s lift ticket pricing. It is a bit of a drive from Shepherdstown, but you will pay just $14 for a full day lift ticket on that day! Compared to regular pricing, this is a great bargain. One Shepherd student said, “If you’re outdoorsy or athletic and you’ve never skied before, you definitely should. It’s easy to pick up and so much fun.” Take advantage of these lift ticket prices available only online at snowshoemtn.com.
Another place to enjoy snowy activities closer to home is Whitetail Resort. Their website is loaded with info: “Another month closer to the 2013-2014 Season, and the excitement is building around the resort.” With over 20 trails ranging from beginner to advanced, hitting everywhere in between, everyone can be sure to have a great time. Both Whitetail Resort and Liberty Mountain Resort have snow tubing as well. So if you’re looking for a less extreme winter sport, there is something fun for you, too!
So when you’ve watched all the “Breaking Bad” and “Gossip Girl” episodes on Netflix, keep all these activities in mind before starting a new series. Fall is fleeting; enjoy it while you can!
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